Posted on

PLAYMONSTER GROWS THEIR FUZZIKINS BRAND WITH NEW FUZZI SKATERS, BABIES AND AN ICE CREAM PARLOR!

Ice Cream Contents Hr Rgb 1024x1024@2x

Adorable Fuzzikins Craft-and-Play Sets Deliver Creative and Fun Play Value for Children with Line Extension

BELOIT, Wis. (February 22, 2020) — PlayMonster’s Fuzzikins™ line has gained popularity quickly and will now feature extensions for 2020! There will be new animals as skaters and babies for children to color, design and play with on their own or with other Fuzzikins sets. Also new will be a Fuzzikins Ice Cream Parlor, with an adorable penguin character! They can all be seen at North American International Toy Fair in New York, February 22 – 25 at booth #435.

Fuzzikins are 3D adorable, fuzzy animals. They are covered in white flocking, and come with special washable markers that children use to design, color and decorate their new animal friends. Children love creating toys that look like their own pets or favorite animals, and using their imagination to make colorful and unique animals! The best part is that the creativity can be endless because the color easily rinses off when the character is placed under running water. Once it’s dry, children can start a new creation!

  • Fuzzi Skaters adds new play value with cool skater characters, and they’re new and different animals, too (koala, elephant, pig)! Each comes with a skateboard for children to design and decorate using stickers they color, as well as a fun accessory!
  • Fuzzi Babies adds new play value with baby animals—hamster, lamb and monkey! Build and design their beds, design and color the animals, and then tuck them away for their nap!
  • The Fuzzi Street Ice Cream Parlor comes with an adorable penguin shop owner and an ice cream parlor with accessories that children can design, color, and then play with! Fuzzikins sets are fun for girls and boys, ages 4 and up.

 

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, SET® games, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

# # #

 

For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Jonathan Siemens
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x330
lisaw@playmonster.com                    jsiemens@chizcomm.com

Posted on

PLAYMONSTER UPDATES ITS POPULAR MAGNATAB LINE WITH AN IMPROVED STYLUS AND STORAGE

10607 Magnatab Freeplay Contentsright

Magnatab Becomes More Kid-Friendly with a Larger Drawing Area, Improved Grip and Easy Stylus Storage!

BELOIT, Wis. (February 22, 2020) — PlayMonster has updated the Magnatab® line after working with parents and retailers to determine what aspects needed improvement to keep Magnatab a favorite among kids and parents! The new Magnatab will be unveiled at North American International Toy Fair in New York, February 22 – 25 at booth #435.

In 2020, Free Play Magnatab and Jumbo Glow-in-the Dark Magnatab will keep their distinct coloring, but feature a white back for 2-tone visual interest. They will also have a larger drawing area, along with an easier-to-grip stylus that acts as a “drawing” tool and “eraser”, and stores easily inside a top slot. Soft edging, a padded back “feet”, and gripper back handle indent make the toy more comfortable to hold and easier to carry. The alphabet and number Magnatabs will feature the updated stylus, edging, feet and handle indent as well. All items will feature updated packaging that calls out distinct features.

Magnatabs were designed with the Montessori learning style in mind, creating a sensory-based learning and play experience. Using the magnetic stylus, children pull the beads up to the surface to make letters, numbers or creative images. In doing this, they feel the pull of the magnets, hear their clicking sound, and see what they are drawing. The beads are magically “erased” when pushed down by the tip of a finger or the swipe of the stylus.

The Magnatab line consists of two drawing styles, ABCs upper and lowercase, and well as numbers. Magnatab is a fun learning tool for children ages 3 and up.

 

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, SET® games, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

# # #

 

For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Jonathan Siemens
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x330
lisaw@playmonster.com                    jsiemens@chizcomm.com

Posted on

PLAYMONSTER GROWS MY FAIRY GARDEN BRAND WITH ALL NEW LIGHTED SERIES OF PLANT, GROW, PLAY SETS

3644 Lightgarden Pkgright

 Children Grow Real Plants to Create Their Own Fairy World that now Includes Fun Light Play, Too!

BELOIT, Wis. (February 22, 2020) —PlayMonster LLC is glowing with excitement over its newest additions to their popular My Fairy Garden® line, which add a new element of play—lights! The lighted series will shine bright at North American International Toy Fair in New York, February 22 – 25 at booth #435.

My Fairy Garden is the first of its kind: A toy that’s also a real, live garden! Children love kits that allow them to plant and grow plants at home because it gives them a connection to nature and a sense of satisfaction at having nurtured a living thing. My Fairy Garden takes it to a new, exciting level by allowing children to interact with it as a part of an entertaining play set!

In 2020, a new series will be launched that features light play. These lighted gardens can be connected to and played with the existing My Fairy Garden sets so that children can collect them and create fairy communities!

The Fairy Light Garden will feature a charming fairy house that, when children blow on it, lights up like magic! To turn off the light, children can blow on it again! The lighted house sits atop a rocky base amongst the gardening area, where children grow plants and play with their fairy friend! There’s also a small pond, working water wheel, and two lovely swans for added play! Ages 4 and up.

The Light Treehouse is reminiscent of a lighthouse—it stands tall and has a bright beacon light on top that can rotate! The base acts as a fairy home, and the top lighted area is also a small play area. Children grow their garden at the base, where they play with their fairy and woodland friend! Ages 4 and up.

 

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

# # #

 

For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Jonathan Siemens
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x330
lisaw@playmonster.com                    jsiemens@chizcomm.com

Posted on

PLAYMONSTER EXTENDS THEIR INNOVATIVE LINE OF MY SINGING MONSTERS COLLECTIBLE TOYS

My Singing Monsters Group

Series 2 Will Join Last Year’s Launch of Series 1 to Create a More Robust Plant Island Song!

BELOIT, Wis. (February 22, 2020) —In 2019, PlayMonster joined forces with Wind Sun Sky, in partnership with Skybound Entertainment and Big Blue Bubble, as master toy license in North America for the top-grossing mobile game My Singing Monsters. Since then, PlayMonster has been busy developing singing figures and adorable collectible babies! Series 2 of the multi-year program will be unveiled at North American International Toy Fair in New York, February 22 – 25 at booth #435.

In the My Singing Monsters mobile game, players young and old add Monsters to their islands to create songs. Each Monster has its own personality and part in the song, so the song changes as more Monsters are added. Along the way, players feed and breed their Monsters, and add structures for hours of fun. The game has 90+ million players worldwide, and fans have loved seeing the game and its characters come to life in PlayMonster collectibles.

For 2019, PlayMonster launched six singing figures from the popular Plant Island, plus a 3-pack and two Spooktacle exclusives. The articulate 3D figures each sing on their own, and also harmonize together when multiple are collected. For 2020, six more will debut that can harmonize with the Series 1 Monsters. Series 2 will include Drumpler, Fwog, Bowgart, Potbelly, Pummel and Tawkerr.  Each Monster is sold separately, and comes with one of its favorite accessories from the mobile game.

Also launching in 2020 will be Series 2 of My Singing Monster Babies, which are baby versions of the popular Monsters. Each Baby Monster comes inside its unique and colorful egg and makes adorable collectibles. PlayMonster plans to release eight, joining the existing eight of 2019.

 

 About My Singing Monsters:

My Singing Monsters is a beloved and critically acclaimed top-grossing game on the App Store and Google Play, with more than 80 million players worldwide. The free-to-play family-friendly title explores rich intriguing worlds as players are engaged in discovery, creativity, and delight by breeding and feeding Singing Monsters to build unique melodies. Each Monster has its own unique sound, so players can mix and match Monsters to create different melodies.

 

About Wind Sun Sky:

Wind Sun Sky Entertainment is a Canadian multimedia entertainment company led by former

LucasFilm executive, Catherine Winder (Invincible, The Angry Birds Movie 1 & 2, Star Wars: The Clone

Wars, Robert Kirkman’s Secret History of Comics). Based in Vancouver Canada, Wind Sun Sky

Entertainment (WSS) builds franchises with a focus on creator-driven content for the global

marketplace producing in all mediums including interactive, film, television (live action and

animation) and games. Under the WSS umbrella is Skybound North, who use expertise in building

global brands to expand IP from Skybound’s vast library as well as new IP into the right forms of

content, merchandise and beyond. WSS is currently in production on an animated TV adaptation

of Invincible for Amazon, and in development on the successful Canadian mobile game My Singing

Monsters, which is being adapted into television, interactive, merchandise and more.

 

About Skybound Entertainment:

Skybound Entertainment is a multiplatform content company that world-builds across mediums

including comics, television, film, tabletop and video games, books, and more. The company works

closely with creators to bring their stories to a wider audience, while ensuring creators can maintain

intellectual property rights and creative control. Skybound is the home of notable properties

including The Walking Dead, Invincible, and Outcast. On screen, Skybound holds a first-look

television deal with Amazon Studios and a first-look movie deal with Universal.

 

Also under the Skybound Entertainment umbrella is Skybound North, the Vancouver-based office

expanding the company into animation and the children’s space; Skybound Games, the home of

tabletop and videogames alike; and GammaRay, a video-content brand focused on pop culture and

presented by Skybound. Skybound is also a partner in Skybound Galactic, a television studio with

the capabilities to finance the development and production of scripted series.

 

About Big Blue Bubble:

Big Blue Bubble is an established mobile gaming company with more than a decade of experience creating fun, innovative, and accessible titles. They develop mobile games that inspire creativity and encourage people of all ages to embrace their playful side. Big Blue Bubble is a pioneer in the mobile gaming industry and has developed more than 100 video game titles since 2004. Having entered the field long before the days of smartphones, they maintain a proven track record of being the first to market with a variety of innovations in technology and game design, including original gameplay mechanics and revolutionary cross-platform game engines. These milestones have solidified Big Blue Bubble as a long-standing industry veteran. Big Blue Bubble’s commitment to producing fun, engaging games has earned the studio recognition from prestigious organizations around the world, including awards from Deloitte, BAFTA, and IGN for economic growth, people’s choice and editor’s choice, respectively. Big Blue Bubble continues to produce award-winning titles that stand the test of time, including our top-grossing flagship franchise, My Singing Monsters.

 

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

# # #

 

For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Jonathan Siemens
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x330
lisaw@playmonster.com                    jsiemens@chizcomm.com

Posted on

PLAYMONSTER UNVEILS NEW, EXCITING, ENGAGING CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM WITH ACTION PLAY

Snapships Newlogo

More than Just a Building Toy, Snap Ships Incorporates Figure and Battle Play Supported by an Epic Story and Content

BELOIT, Wis. (February 22, 2020)Welcome to the future, where the world is under constant attack from a brutal alien threat… But with Snap Ships™, we will escape and battle our way across the galaxy. Are YOU ready to build to battle?!

Buckle up and enjoy the ride! PlayMonster is launching their all new construction system, Snap Ships™, along with a YouTube animated series and an app to support the play pattern and the epic story behind it. Snap Ships lands at North American International Toy Fair in New York, February 22 – 25 at booth #435.

At its core, Snap Ships is a collectible, versatile, modular building system that allows kids to build multiple crafts. All of the sets are interchangeable so you can combine pieces to create different, larger builds. Each set has patent-pending cube pieces that snap together to be the core of the ship, allowing for versatile and quick builds that can be easily modified. Also included are unique pieces that differentiate sets from one another, offering different specs for play. Each craft features real shooting weapon play so kids can Build to Battle! Each package also features a plastic lid that is used as a stand when displaying ships when not playing.

The first nine sets being released are split into two groups: Forge and Komplex. This follows the storyline of the Snap Ships universe, in which the Komplex—an alien species determined to annihilate all life—invades with no warning. To fight back, an elite team—the Forge—is assembled to pilot a fleet of versatile and specialized attack craft called Snap Ships. Along the way, the Forge discovers mysterious UJU tech, left behind by an ancient civilization, which can be added to their Snap Ships to give them unheard-of abilities. Each product will come with an UJU tech piece that holds special value, and is hidden inside the box.

Snap Ships is a solid play experience with quick, versatile building and many variations. It’s also built for longevity with a broad universe with narrative-driven repeat builds. Not only do sets come with instruction books, but they link to an app that will have a character in the universe talk to you and walk you through building your ships! You can register on the app and keep track of your builds, as well receive missions and experience virtual reality play. The app is an added value, and is not required to enjoy Snap Ships.

PlayMonster will also be releasing a YouTube animated series with exciting, engaging characters and stories that introduce and dive into the Snap Ships universe. Season 1, Dawn of Battle, follows the Forge characters—Klik, Dex, Dee La, 2Bells and Atam—who use the mysterious UJU tech to battle the evil Komplex forces and their villainous leader, The Truth. The series expands the appeal of Snap Ships and supports the play pattern. Snap Ships is geared toward boys ages 8 and up, but can be enjoyed by nearly anyone.

 

 

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, SET® games, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

# # #

 

For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Jonathan Siemens
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x330
lisaw@playmonster.com                    jsiemens@chizcomm.com

Posted on

PlayMonster Jumpstarts the #FacePaintRevolution at KIDZ BOP World Tour Concert in Los Angeles

Kidz Bop And Fps E1576522278139

Photo caption: The KIDZ BOP Kids and influencer Hails_World wearing Face Paintoos™

 

December 16, 2019 – BELOIT, Wis. – Last night, PlayMonster LLC launched Face Paintoos in grand fashion with a kick-off at the sold-out KIDZ BOP World Tour concert at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA.  Joined by prominent fashionista and influencer Hails_World, and her hundreds of thousands of fans online, attendees got the opportunity to jam out to their favorite songs and be some of the first consumers to get a look at Face Paintoos live!

Created to change the way people think about face painting, Face Paintoos is the mess-free, inexpensive way to paint a child’s face. Face Paintoos makes the process easy and long-lasting with no professional artist required. All you have to do is apply the design like you would a temporary tattoo for a smudge and transfer-proof design!

The #FacePaintRevolution encourages children everywhere to get creative and join in on the endless designs that can be created with Face Paintoos, making each design their own in a unique way. Perfect for dressing the part at a KIDZ BOP concert, hosting a birthday party or a day out at the zoo!

“We wanted to create something that allowed kids to express their personalities and make parent’s lives easier… and we’ve done that with Face Paintoos,” said Lisa Wuennemann, Associate Vice President of Marketing at PlayMonster. “Kids can switch their Face Paintoos with ease and don’t need to worry about smudging their face or transferring it onto clothing.”

The removal process is just as easy. Simply use one of the wipes that are included in the package to wipe off the Face Paintoos. With three different theme packs (wild, magical and pet), there’s a design for every mood — and song!

We’re ready for the #FacePaintRevolution…are you?! Follow the action on the PlayMonster social channels:

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, SET® games, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

 

About KIDZ BOP

KIDZ BOP connects with kids and families through its best-selling albums, music videos, consumer products and live tours. In the US, KIDZ BOP is the No. 1 music brand for kids, featuring today’s biggest hits “sung by kids for kids.” KIDZ BOP has sold over 21 million albums and generated over 3.5 billion streams since the family-friendly music brand debuted in 2001. The best-selling series has had 24 Top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200 Chart; only three artists in history—The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Barbra Streisand—have had more Top 10 albums. For more information, visit www.kidzbop.com.

 

KIDZ BOP is a part of Concord.

# # #

 

For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Jonathan Siemens
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x330
lisaw@playmonster.com                    jsiemens@chizcomm.com

 

Posted on

PlayMonster Expands its Kids Arts and Crafts Line with the Classic Spirograph Brand Through its Acquisition of Kahootz Toys!

Pm Kahootz 400x400

November 14, 2019 – BELOIT, Wis. – PlayMonster LLC has taken its next big step in solidifying its fast growth as a multi-category toy and game company by acquiring the assets of the kids arts and crafts company, Kahootz Toys, based in Ann Arbor, MI. Kahootz Toys is the company behind 17 award-winning brands including Y’ART®, SPIROGRAPH®, COLORFORMS®, FASHION PLATES®, LATCHKITS®, PLAY-DOH® and WATERFULS®.

Kahootz, founded in 2012, grew quickly with several programs, including the relaunch of the iconic brand Spirograph, under license with Hasbro. Today that brand stands as one of the strongest performers in the category. More recently, the company has experienced great success with other classic brands like Colorforms in partnership with 9 Story Entertainment, and the girls’ favorite Fashion Plates. This year the company was excited to be awarded the ASTRA Best Toys for Kids award, and is a TOTY finalist for Creative Toy of the Year with a new line, Y’ Art, where kids can “color with yarn”!

Over the past few years, PlayMonster has made several acquisitions to strengthen their position in the toy industry, and Kahootz Toys was a natural fit with its commitment to classic and quality play, an initiative PlayMonster strives for, to meet the needs of today’s consumers.

Bob Wann, Chief PlayMonster of PlayMonster LLC said, “This is PlayMonster’s largest acquisition to-date and we’re thrilled to continue our multi-category growth strategy building and adding classic brands while expanding our footprint in the activity and stationery aisles. Kahootz has shown a commitment to providing innovative products to kids of all ages, and this philosophy aligns with our mission to make a positive difference in people’s lives through the power of play. Their team has done an outstanding job, and with our help, will continue to grow the Kahootz brand at retail.”

“We are very excited to be joining PlayMonster and the Audax Private Equity family of companies,” said Joe Yassay, CEO and founding partner of Kahootz Toys.  “The addition of our products to PlayMonster’s already impressive portfolio of children’s toys and games is a win-win for everyone involved–our companies, licensors, suppliers and customers.  We look forward to helping PlayMonster champion the power of play by supporting continued growth and market penetration in the mass, specialty and international marketplaces.”

Bambini Partners, LLC acted as Special Advisors to Kahootz Toys in connection with this transaction.

 

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, SET® games, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

 

 About Kahootz Toys

Kahootz Toys has been on a mission to use our skills and passions to bring great kids’ products to the world, founding our company with an award-winning relaunch of the classic brand, Spirograph® in 2013.  Since then, we’ve successfully launched a broad portfolio of children’s toy, craft and activity products, including Fashion Plates® fashion drawing sets, Colorforms® playsets, Latchkits®, Y-Art™ yarn crafts, and many others.  Kahootz believes in “Retro Fun for Everyone”!

# # #

 

For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Kassandra O’Brien
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x356
lisaw@playmonster.com                    kobrien@chizcomm.com

Posted on

PlayMonster Selected as Finalist for Two Prestigious 2020 Toy of the Year Awards

Toty 2020 Vote

Vote today to help PlayMonster win!

 BELOIT, Wis. (November 12, 2019) – PlayMonster is proud to announce that they have been named a finalist for two Toy of the Year (TOTY) 2020 Awards, the industry’s most prestigious achievement. This year, PlayMonster garnered recognition across two different categories: Game of the Year for Orangutwang and Collectible of the Year for My Singing Monsters!

The TOTY Awards are frequently referred to as the “Oscars” of the toy industry, and finalists are announced from a field of hundreds of nominations. Finalists are determined by elite members of the toy industry, including retail buyers, inventors, academics, trade media spokespeople and bloggers. For more information about PlayMonster’s TOTY Award finalists, and to vote, visit playmonstervote.com

“We are honored and excited to have been named a finalist for TOTY 2020,” said Bob Wann, Chief PlayMonster of PlayMonster LLC, and Chairman of the US Toy Association. “It’s an indication of the hard work and determination of our entire team to be recognized as the gold standard in toys by the industry and consumers alike.”

“Thanks to the expertise of our expert panel of judges, this year’s TOTY finalists embody all the best aspects of play – fun, discovery, and product innovation,” said Ken Seiter, executive vice-president of marketing communications at The Toy Association. “From games that put a new spin on classic play to toys offering new play patterns that speak to today’s generation of kids, we are excited to reveal these finalists. All are encouraged to cast votes at ToyAwards.org to help determine the winners!”

The winners of the TOTY 2020 Awards will be announced on Friday, February 21, 2020, at the TOTY Awards Ceremony in New York City. The ceremony is the official kick off for the North American International Toy Fair, which takes place at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, February 22 through February 25, 2020.

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, SET® games, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.About The Toy Association

www.toyassociation.org / www.thegeniusofplay.org / www.playsafe.org
Founded in 1916, The Toy Association™, Inc. is the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The Toy Association leads the health and growth of the U.S. toy industry, which has an annual U.S. economic impact of $107.5 billion, and its 950+ members drive the annual $26.5 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Toy Association serves as the industry’s voice on the developmental benefits of play, and promotes play’s positive impact on childhood development to consumers and media. The organization has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago, and remains committed to working with medical experts, government, consumers, and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play.

 

As a global leader, The Toy Association produces the world-renowned North American International Toy Fair and Fall Toy Preview; advocates on behalf of members around the world; sustains the Canadian Toy Association; acts as secretariat for the International Council of Toy Industries and International Toy Industry CEO Roundtable; and chairs the committee that reviews and revises America’s widely emulated ASTM F963 toy safety standard.

# # #

 

For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Kassandra O’Brien
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x356
lisaw@playmonster.com                    kobrien@chizcomm.com

Posted on

PlayMonster Kicks Off the Holidays at the 17th Annual Chicago Toy & Game Fair!

Chitag

Come Out and Experience Hands-On Activities, Inventor Interactions and Exciting Play Events

BELOIT, Wis. – (November 6, 2019) Once again, PlayMonster has many exciting things to share at the 17th annual Chicago Toy & Game Fair beginning November 23, 2019. The weekend’s activities include the Young Inventor Challenge, toys for public meet and greets, hands-on craft and gaming demos and a photo op with the adorable and loveable Furcorn from My Singing Monsters. Additionally, the PlayMonster booth will feature the inventors of two PlayMonster games.

The Young Inventor Challenge
On Saturday, November 23, kids ages 6 – 18 will set up and display their submitted toy and game inventions to the general public, industry professionals and media hoping to win prizes in their category. As a sponsor of the Young Inventor Challenge, PlayMonster believes in inspiring the next generation to use creativity and critical thinking. This exclusive and educational experience provokes imagination, innovation and presentation skills that provide the means of taking these inventions to greater heights with professional critiques from industry experts.

PlayMonster’s Big on Fun Booth
All weekend long, PlayMonster’s booth (#707) will feature tons of fun for families! Kids can stop by and design their very own Fuzzikins, have a total #MeltdownMoment and pose with the Furcorn from My Singing Monsters.

Meet the Young Inventors
When kids aren’t busy playing at PlayMonster’s booth, they can meet and talk with actual game and toy inventors. A schedule will be posted at the booth letting consumers know when they can stop by to see Tiggy, the inventor of Draw Into Crime™, and Edie, the inventor of Goo on My Shoe™. Tiggy and Edie have learned a lot through the process of creating a game. They can’t wait to meet everyone and share their experiences with all the other young inventors out there!

If you’ll be in the Chicago area November 23 ̶ 24, stop by Navy Pier for some fun and early holiday shopping! Tickets available at the fair, or purchase early at chitagfair.com.

About PlayMonster LLC
Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, SET® games, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

About Chicago Toy & Game (ChiTAG) Fair
ChiTAG, founded in 2003, is the largest non-hobby toy and game fair open to the public in North America. The event is popular with families, inventors, media, educators and consumers, all of which can attend to play with and shop for the latest and greatest toys and games!

# # #

 

For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Kassandra O’Brien
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x356
lisaw@playmonster.com                    kobrien@chizcomm.com

Posted on

Edie P. – Goo on My Shoe™

Edie For Web

Like any kid, Edie enjoys a lot of the same things her peers do—playing sports, watching TV and spending time with her family. But, what sets Edie apart is that she has invented her own game that has made it to market! Not many grade-schoolers can make that claim!

What sparked Edie’s interest in creating a new game was hearing about the upcoming annual Young Inventors Challenge in Chicago during the ChiTAG event. It called for kids to create their own game and submitting a video to explain it. Then, entrants would go to Chicago and present their idea in person to toy industry leaders. This sounded like a fun and exciting challenge to Edie, and so she got to work!

Edie spent a lot of time brainstorming idea after idea after idea…until it finally came to her when she accidentally stepped in her dog’s poo! And just like that, Goo on My Shoe™ was born! We’ve all stepped in something gross: mud, garbage, goo…but not many people have been inspired by doing so! Sometimes the best ideas are just under your nose, or in this case…under your toes!

For Edie, having a good idea wasn’t the hardest part of creating a game…the hardest part was creating the rules and having a plan in place so everything was organized and fun! She was determined to create something that brought as much fun and laughter as her favorite game — 5 Second Rule! After lots of thought and work, and game testing with friends and family, she had a great game to submit for the Young Inventors Challenge. It was there that she impressed PlayMonster’s VP Product Development, and her game started down the path of production! Her game will now launch with PlayMonster in Fall 2019 on Amazon and in specialty stores! Edie’s friends and family, including her older sister, all love the game and are super excited for it to come out — maybe they’ll even get a chance to play it in Edie’s dream destination…HAWAII.

When Edie isn’t designing fun new games, you’ll likely find her watching TV (Stranger Things on Netflix is her favorite!) or playing basketball, hockey or softball. Edie’s love for sports started when a teacher let the class play fun games and tag in PE, and now that’s Edie’s favorite class! If that’s not enough activity for this 5th grader, when given the choice, Edie would spend the whole weekend at Six Flags, although growing older does have its perks as Edie is looking forward to being tall enough to ride ANY roller coaster! When Edie takes a break to relax, she enjoys drawing just like her role model, Bob Ross.